Mechanical musical instrument



7 Sheets-Sheet l //v A/TQ R7 l m Kw h mm m l C MAERTEN MECHANICAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENT Feb. 21, 1928.

Feb. 21, 1928.

c. MAERTEN MECHANICAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENT Feb. 21, 1928.

C. MAERTEN MECHANICAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENT ATTOR/VE/f.

Feb. 21, 1928.

C- MAERTEN MECHANICAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENT 7 Sheets Sheet 4 Filed Jan. '7. 1924 A 7710/?A/EK5.

Feb. '21, 1928. 1,660,172

c. MAERTEN MECHANICAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENT Patented Feb. 21, 1928.

UNITED STATES CHRISTIAN MAERTEN, OF

NGRTIE TONAXVANDA, NEW YGRK, ASSIGNOB TO ARTIZAN FACTORIES, ENG, OF HQB'EH TOEE'AFTANDA, NEW YORK.

MECHANICAL MUSE Application filed. January 7 This invention relates to improvements in automatic musical instruments of that kind in which the playing of the instrument is controlled by a perforated note sheet or element which cooperates with atracker or duct bar over which it travels to control the operation of pneumatic actuating means for trio instrument. More particularly the invention relates to instruments of this character in which a plurality of the same pneumatic playing action note sheets or element-s wound on spools or rolls are employed and one note sheet is rewound on the spool simul taneously with the unwinding or travel of another note sheet for playing the instru ment, so that a second note sheet can be started for playing therefrom as soon as the selection or selections of the first note sheet is or are completed, without waiting for the rewinding of the first note sheet.

One object of the invention is to produce a practical, eilicient and desirable musical in trumentof the type mentioned. Other obyects of the invention are to provide simple, practical and reliable automatic mechanism for propelling, starting and stopping the note sheets in such manner that each note sheet will be rewound immediately upon the completion of its selection or selections and a second note sheet will be started for playing the selection or selections thereon simultaneously with the commencement of the rewinding of the first note sheet; also to provide simple and reliable means for cutting off each tracker from the playing pneumatics during the rewinding of the note sheet for said tracker, to thereby prevent interference with the control of the instrument by another note sheet and the improper sounding of the speaking devices; also to provide efficient means for rewinding the note sheets more rapidly than they travel when playing the instrument and for arresting the rewinding of a note sheet as soon as it is completely rewound while the playing note sheet nevertheless continues in operation; also to provide convenient means for manually starting, stopping and causing the rewinding of each note sheet at will, so as to enable the user to play any one or more of the selections on the several note sheets as may be desired; and also to improve and simplify musical instruments of the character mentioned in various respects as will appear CAL INSTRUMENT.

, 1324. Serial No. $84,715.

from the following description and claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is an elevation of the operating mechanism of a plural note sheet instrument embodying my invention.

Figs. 2 and 3 are diagrannnatic views of the mechanical actuating and pneumatic controlling devices for the two note sheets and trackers arranged so as to clearly show tl c relation of the parts, the parts being shown in different positions in the two figures.

Fig. is an elevation partly in section, of the detachable units comprising the automatic cutoff means for the trackers, the note sheet pneumatic controls and the clutch controls for the note sheet driv mechanism.

F 5 is' a transv rse sectional elevation of the valve chest for the pneumatically controlled stop and start valves, on line 5-5, Fig. 18.

6 is a similar view thereof on line 66, Fig. 18.

Fig. 7 is a plan view of one of the hand actuated valves for manually controlling the movements of the note sheets.

8 is a vertical section thereof on line 88, Fig. 7.

9 is a sectional elevation of the mechanism for cutting off the tracker of each note sheet during the rewinding of the note sheet.

Fig. 10 is a horizontal section of the cut off valve shown in Fig. 9, togethr with the rewind and playing pneinnatics for the same note sheet.

Fig. 11 is a similar view of the rewind and playing pneuinatics shown in Fig. 10, the section being on line 1111, Fig.

Fig. 12 is a similar view thereof showing another position of the parts.

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary face view. partly in section of. the dust collector ports which are arranged in the passages between the trackers and the primary pncumatics.

Fig. 1%- is a fragmentary sectional elevation similar to Fig. 9 of the cutoff valve and the diaphragm board and diaphragms controlled by the cut-off valve, in diaphragm closing position.

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary sectional elevation of the diaphragm board and the diaphragms controlled by the other cutoff valve with these diaphragms in open position.

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary face view of the diaphragm board shown in Figs. 9 and it, removed from the instrument.

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary horizontal section thereof on line 1717, Fig. 9.

Fig. 18 is a sectional elevation of the removable valve chest containing the stop and start valves for the note sheets, on line 18-18,

Fig. 19 is an elevation, partly in section, of the removable plate of the valve chest showiiig'the air control'passages for the rewind and winding valves.

Figs. and 21 are horizontal sections on lines 2020 and 2121 respectively 18 of the rewind and winding valve chest.

Fig. 22 is a view of one of the note sheets and its tracker showing the relative positions of the playing and rewind perforations in the note sheet.

Fig. 23 is a f 'agmentary perspective view showing the means for breaking suction in theinain suction bellows.

The instrumentshown in the drawings, see Figs. 1 and 9, comprises generally the usual wind chest 10 containing a plurality of pneumatics 11 and pallets 12 actuated thereby for controlling the admission of compressed air from the wind chest to the various speaking instruments or devices 13,

a main suction bellows or reservoir 14:, a suction passage 15 leading therefrom to main suction chamber 16, for creating suction in a plurality of suction passages 17 i' controlled by primary pneumatics or valves 18 actuated by air pressure admitted by thenote perforations of the note sheets on the trackers A B of the note sheet winding and rewinding mechanism A B, respectively. There is a valve 18 for each note of the note sheets and, as usual, when the valves 18 are actuated by air pressure from the trackers, the speaking neumatics 11 are collapsed to open the pallets 12 and th reby cause the instruments 13 to speak.

The two note sheetwinding and rewinding mechanisms are preferably constructed as follows. As they are alike, only one will be described in detail, the same reference characters being used in both mechanisms. The note sheet, as usual, is secured on a spool or delivery. roll 20 from which it is adapted to pass over the tracker and be wound onto a take-up roll 21, when the note sheet is being operated to play the instrument. Fig. 1 shows the note sheet mechanism B in playing or winding position and the mechanism A in rewinding position. Each mechanism is preferably mounted on a separate frame 28 independently secured in the instrument so that eachmechanism forms in itself a complete separable unit. A drive shaft 22 is used in each mechanism provided with a pair of drive gears 23, 2:,

gear 26 on a counter shaft 27'journalled on the frame 28. The counter shaft 27 also carries a pinion 29 meshing with a gear 30 on the shaft 31 of the take-up roll 21. The pinion 25 and the gear 30 are loose and adapted to move endwise on their respective shafts 25 and 31, and each of these gears is provided with teeth or parts adapted to engage with complementary parts on clutch members 33 and 3% fixed on the shafts 25 and 31 respectively. These clutch members 33 and 3 1 and sliding gears 25 and 30 are so arranged and actuated that when either of the gears ismoved to engage its clutch member and thereby cause its shaft .to rotate, the other gear will be moved out of engagement with its clutch. The gear 30 is the winding gear and the gear 25 the rewindmg gear. The means shown for alternately actuating these gears for winding and rewinding the note sheets includes ""ld"k" l36""lt "l' ioi re oc aims 0-) ant ILXGL o a lOCx shaft 37 journaled in the frame 28 and en respectively in grooved hubs on the gears 25 and 30 so that a part al turning of the shaft will swing one gear into and the other gear out of clutch-engaging posit-ion. The gears 25 and 29 are of such width that the sliding gears will always remain in mesh with the gears that drive them. In 1 the winding gear 30of the mechanism B is in winding position and the rewinding gear 25 of the mechanism A is in rewinding position, while the gear 25 of mechanism B and gear 30 of mechanism A are running free on their shafts, being both disconnected from their clutch members. The rock shafts 37 are actuated by means hereinafter de Means are provided for rotating the drive shafts 22, said means preferably including an adjustable, variable speed device C, and means for actuating the same to disconnect the driving mechanism from the shafts 22, while the main drive shaft 40 is'running. As shown, the main drive shaft 10 is geared to and drives a countershaft 41, which in turn is geared to and drives the variable speed mechanism 0. The shaft 4-0 has crank portions, connected by pitme'ii t2 to pump ing bellows 43 for maintaining a constant suction in the suction bellows 1 1-. The means for disconnecting the drive shafts 22 from the variable speed device C includes a bearing slide 455, see Figs, 1 and 23, movable in a fixed guide block $6 on one end of the instrument case and having pivoted thereto one end or a transmission shaft 47. The shaft 47 has a flexible or universal connection with one end of the drive shaft 22 of the winding mechanism B and also carries a friction wheel 48 adapted to engage a cone wheel 49 ot the variable speed device C. A crank shaft 50 journalled in the case of the instrument isprovided with an eccentric or cam 51, (Fi 23) engaging in an aperture of the bearing slide 4-5, so that by turning the crank shait't, as by the crank handle 52 on its outer end, the cam will lift the slide 45 and disengage the friction wheel 48 from the cone wheel 49. The friction wheel is splined on the shaft 47 and is adapted to be adjusted lengthwise thereon to different positions relative to the cone :9 for varying the speed of travel of the note sheets as may be required.

Each of the note sheet winding and re winding mechanisms A and B is provided with a playing and'a rewinding pneumatic for operating the clutches of said mechanism, a pneumatically cont-rolled automatic cutoll' mechanism for rendering inoperative the tracker for each note sheet during the rewinding of that note sheet, and means sociated with the winding and rewinding pneumatics of the mechanisms A and B for actuating the clutches of the two mechanisms A and B. The clutch operating pneumatics, cutotl valve and clutch actuating mea s tor each of the mechanisms A and B are preferably arran ed as a separate detachable set or unit, secured within the instrument to a suitable part thereof for instance to a panel secured to the side wall of the instrunient ca, the mechanism A is designated generally as D, while the unit tor the mechanism B is designated generally as D. As shown in the drawings Figs. 4,, 9 and 12, the unit D includes a playing or start and stop pneumatic 55, and a rewind pneumatic 56, secured on opposite of a board 57 forming part of a bracket 58, detachabl secured to the panel Vertical "notion passages and 60, preferably ormed in the panel. 54;, communicate respecively, through passages 59 and G0 in the chct 58 and board 57, with the pneuniatncs 5e and The passages 59, 60 communicate with the suction bellows 1 at,

through a conduit and a control valve ches v The pneumatics and are connected to each other as by a bar pivoted to the movable walls of the pneumatics, so that when one of the pneumatics is collapsed by suction therein, the other pneumatic is pos'- lively expanded. The detachable unit D for the other mechanism A is similar to the unit D and includes a playing pneumatic The unit for he control of.

65, and a rewinding pneumatic G6 on 7 l l l- 10 iv i/ 4 moi able biac et 61, tlc piieuniatics being under the control oi": suction sages G8, 69, respectively, lead I The pneumati valve chest h I the pneui'natics 56, are C(fllllQijtO-Zl by (53, so that movem nt oi one prion imparted to the other.

in the position of the parts as s Fig. 1 and 2, the notesheetniech i i in playing position, and the playing pr matic 55 oi": unit l) is collap "l wind pneumatic 56 expanded or inopcrative, while the note sheet mechanism 2*; in rewinding position. Consequently, t wind pneumatic 66 0t unit D cola and the playing pneumatic is exp "nded inoperative.

The present invention contemp a of novel construction, for causi b taneous actuation the clutches mechanisms A and B throu ineunr t control oi? the pneumatics 55, and rewind pneumatics 56, 6b, and thron of mechanical. G vices connected to and adapted to actuate the clutch rock sha; r

This pneumatic controlling means includes the valve chest E, before mentioned and which is preferably detachably secured on the panel A suction chamber 62 in this chest connects with the suction conduit 61 and connects by way of ports T0 with a ries of valve chambers T1 which are in connection respectively with the pas (BS, 69 which lead to playing and rcwindijn neumatics 55, 65, 56, There are, there tore, tour of the valve chambers i and each means of a port 72, arranged oppo close one and open the other e the ports (0, 72, connected with its particular v 'e chamber. Two of thes valves designatei'l Til, 75, are the playing valves and are arran ed in the chambers which connectrespectively with the suc ion pas ges 59, (38, while the other two valv s 76, '7': are re rind alves and are in the chamb 's whici connect respectively with the suction passages (30, (39. Each valve is provided with a stem which passes downwardly through the port 70 and through the suction nber 62 with lower end connected ii movable wall or diapl'iragn'i ot an ac ne matic or pouch Y8. the playii'ig starting perforation 8' at the It i il l Fig. 22. The pouches forthe two rewind valves 76, 7 7 are similarly connected by passages 86, 87 and tubes or conduits 88, 88 and 89, 89 with ducts 90, 91 in the trackers B and A respectively, each of which ducts is controlled by a rewind perforation 92 atthe finish end of th cooperating note sheet, see

22. the passages 7 9, 80, 86, 87 of the valve chest E are connected to the tubes 81, 82 and 88, 89 by means of holes in a cover plate 93 reinovably secured as by screws 9% on the front of the valve chest thereby effecting ready access to the valves and pouches. This cover plate is further provided with a series of branch passages arranged as follows The conduit 81 leading from the tracker B is provided in the plate 93 with a branch passage 95 which ends in a bleeder port 95 communicating with the chamber 71 of the rewind valve 76, while the other conduit 88 from the tracker B is provided with a similar passage 96 and bleeder port 96 in com.- munication with the chamber of the playing valve 7 1. Similarly, the conduit 82 from the tracker A has a branch passage 97 and a bleeder port 97 communicating with the chamber of the rewind valve 77, and the conduit 89, also from the tracker A has a branch passage 98 and bleeder port 98 communicating with the valve chamber of the playing valve 75. In this connection the Figure 19 should be read'as being in register with Fig. 18, wherein the bleeder ports 95*,

96 97 98 relatively to the valve chambers are all indicated by double broken line circles. The purpose of these branch passages and bleeder ports will be explained later.

The niechanica-l connections between the winding and rewind control units D, D for causing the simultaneous actuation of the clutch rock shafts 37 of the mechanism A and B are constructed and arranged as follows: see, Figs. 1-3.

The rock shaft 37 of themechanism A is provided with an arm 100, connected by a link 101 to the coupling bar 63* of the pneu matics G5, 66, while the rock shaft 37 of the mechanism 13 is provided with an arm 102, connected by a link 103 to the coupling bar (33 of the pneui'i iatics 55, 56. Suitablypivoted, for instance on the bracket 67 of unit is a latch a, one-end of wh ch is nor mally held against a stop pin 105 on the movable wall of the playing pneumatic 65 by av suitable spring 106. The opposite end of this latch is connected, as by the link 10? to one end of a bell crank 108 suitably piv oted adjacent the unit D. The other end of the bell crank engages the end of the bar 63 of unit D. A secondlatchlll) pivoted for convenience on the bracket 57 0t unit D has one end thereof held against a stop pin 111 on the movable wall of pneumatic hy a spring 112. The other end of this As shown in Figs. 4-6 and 18-19,

latch is connected by a link 113 to one end of a second bell crank 11 1- pivoted at 115 adjacent the unit D and the other end of the latter bell crank engages theend of the bar of unit D. It is desirable that the speed of travel of the note sheet that is being rewound should be greater than that of the note sheet which is being played, so that the rewinding note sheet will be completely re- ,wound and come to rest before the other sheet has been played, thereby ensuring POSL' ively that the rewound sheet will be in readiness to be started as soonas the, selections on the other sheet are finished. Con-- sequently, as soon as either note sheet has been rewound, both clutches of the driving mechanism for that sheet must be moved to a neutral position so that both rolls 20, 21 ofv that mechanism will be idle. The stop pins 105,111 ofthe units D D cooperate with stop shoulders 117, 118 on the'latchesv 10 i, 110, respectively for this purpose.

The operation of-the instrument as thus far described is as follows: i

Assuming the parts to be in the; relative positions shown in Figs. 1 and 2, with the mechanism B in position for playing the instrument, that is, with its note sheet feeding over tracker bar B onto the take up roll and the mechanisnrA in rewinding position, with its note sheet rewinding onto delivery roll 20, then the playing pneumatic 55 will be collapsed to hold winding clutch 8 1 of mechanism B in driving position, while is collapsed, the companion pneumatic 56 is expanded and holds coupling bar 63 to the left and, owing to the upward pull of spring 106 the free end of latch 104: is maintained in engagement with its stop pin 105. As the note sheets rewind faster than they unwind, the starting perforation of note sheet of mechanism A will register with the duct 8-1 of tracker A, while the other note sheet still traveling in the playing direction'.

phragin' or pouch 78 of playing valve 75, expanding the diaphragm and lifting the valve to close the air inlet port 7 2 and open "1* l l b t tl *t' h' i ie x a \e 0 mm er 0 iesuc ion ougn port 70. This allows suction to act through passage 68 on the playing pneumatic 65, cansing t to partially collapse and through the bar and link 101 to rock the shaft 37 7 Atthis time the playing pneumatic.

l'lll) 120 Atmospl ieric pressure thus passes by I way of duct 84, conduits 82, 82, to the Cllib:

whereby its note sheet will be arrested and prevented from movement in either direction. l hen the valve 75 is moved as thus explained, to collapse the playing pnuematic on, the suction will act on the diaphragm T8 for the rewinding valve 77 through the branch passage S'L'thereby collapsing this c'aphragm and moving said valve 77 to open its air inlet port 7 and close its suction port 70. 'lhis valve 7'? until this time had been in 5 upper position, see Fig. 2, closing its air inlet port, so that suction from suction chamr 02, acting by vay of passage 69 on the 1 wind pneumatic 66, caused the rewinding of the note sheet, of mechanism A. However, as soon as air pressure enters the chamber of valve 2 7, this air pressure will p ss around the valve and through the e to rewind pnuematic 66, causing it to e);- pand. It is necessary, after the winding valve has been lifted, to maintain it in such upper position to prevent the entrance of air to the passage (38, as otherwise air pressure would enter and expand the pnuen'iatic and thus move the clutches of mechanism it back into playing position. This is preferably accomplished by a spring "20 Fig. 18, which acts on the stem of the valve 75, and holds the valve up against the air port. This it can do until the perforation of the note sheet is moved out of register with the duct 84:, which takes place when the note sheet is started in the opposite direction, for playing the instrument. A similar spring 121 for a like purpose is also provided for the other winding valve The note sheet operating mechanism .z'i will remain in neitral position until the note sheet of the other mechanism 15 has been completely unwound, whereupon the row in perforation 92 of this note sheet will register with the rewind duct of tracker 13, al lowing atmospheric pressure to pass by way of conduits 88, S8, and passage (30 to p inch T8 of the rewind valve 70 to lift this valve and close its air inlet port 72 and o en its suction port 70. Suction will then act by way of passage 60 on the rewind pneu matic 5c of unit D, causing it to collapse and move bar 63 and link 108 to the right. The clutch shaft 37 of mechanism B therefore, will be rocked to move the clutches of this mechanism to rewinding position and etlect the rewinding of the note sheet of this mechanism l3. hen the valve 76 is thus raised to close its air inlet 72 it will also place the branch passage in connection with the suction which will then act through said passage in the pouch diaphragm 78 of the playing valve T l and thereby lower said valve to open its air inlet 72 and close its suction port 70. This permits atmospheric pressure to pass to playing pneumatic 55 by way of passa e 59. The reversing of pneunia'ties 55, and movement of bar 63 and link 103 to the right, causes the bell crank 108 to swing and through the link 102' actu ate the latch 10-1 of unit D so as to permit stop to pass shoulder I The pneu matic 65 is thus enabled to completely collapse, while the pneumatic (jt? opens to its full extent.

Therefore, the bar (58 and link 101 will now complete their full movement to the left and move tl e clutches of the mechanism 1; from the neutral position to start 'ing position, and cause the note sheet to travel in the direction to play the instrument.

lVhen the note sheet of mechanism B fully rewound, the playing perforation 85 thereof will register with playing duct 83 of tracker l3 and allow air pressure to pass through conduits 81, 81 and passage to pouch 78 of winding valve Tl, which then, as above explained in lower position as shown in 18. The adini ion of air to the pouch of the val '7 1 now raise the valve, close air 7 and through the medium of the bl 00 and the pouch diaphragm f valve 7%, the latter 72 and the air will pass 101 will open its air port int-o passage 60 by way of chamber of valve 70 to rewind pneumatic lit the same time, owing to lifting of valve T l, suction will act through passage on winding pneumatic 55. Thus pneumatics 55, 50 will actuate the coupling bar 63 and link 103 tending to move the clutches of mechanism B to place them in playing position as )efore. However, the stop pin 111 and latch shoulder 118 of the unit D will first arrest the clutches in the neutral position. and the note sheet will remain static: until the rewind perforation 02, at the finish end i the other note sheet on mechanism 11 actuates its rewind mechanism, whereupon bell crank 11a and link 1123 will actuate t latch to allow the stop 111 to pass shoulder 118, and permit the playing and re wind pneumatics 56 to complete their movement to the left and so permit the note sheet on mechanism B to travel in the play ing direction.

It is desirable to be able to actuate the winding and rewinding mechanisms for the note sheets at will, independently of the described automatic control by the note sheets, for instance, to repeata desired selection on a note sheet or to rewind the note sheet and play one or another selection without waiting until the end of the note sheet is reached. For this purpose, hand-controlled means is provided preferably constructed as follows: F F indicate hand controlling devices for i lever 126 pivoted thereon.

one branch of which is connected the play ing conduit 82 from the duct 84- 01" the tracker A. The other branch of the fitting 128 connects with the duct 82 leading to the pouch for the playing valve 75 in the valve chest E. Another port 129 and branched fitting 130 connects the rewind conduits $9 and 89 from the duct 91 of tracker A to the pouch of'rewind valve 77'. The upper ends oi the ports 127, 129 are normally closed by the lever 126 so that the conduits 82, S2

and 89, 89 form two continuous uninterrupted air passages from the tracker to the valve chest E. The lever126 isprovided with a playing port 131 and a rewind port 132. The playing port 131 may be moved into register with the aperture 127 by swinging the lever 126, whereupon atmospheric pressure will be admitted to passage 82 82 and will act the same as when ad mitted through the. port 84 of the tracker A. under the automatic control of the note sheet to cause the playing travel of-the note sheet.

register at one time.

F function exactly as do the perforations 85, r

The other port 132 ofthe lever may be similarly brought into register with the aperture 129 by swinging the lever 126 into engagement with a stop 13 3, thus actuating valves 77, and rewind pneumatic 66 just as when air pressure is admitted throughthe port 91 of tracker A under the automatic control of the note sheet. The spacing of the apertures 127,129 and ports131, 132 is such that-only one port and one aperture can Theports of the device 92 ofthe note sheet relative to the ducts'Si. 91 of the tracker A. It should be noted that after one ot-the devices, as thedevice ,F, has been actuated, for instance to actuate the winding pneumatic 65, the other device F must then be moved to actuate its rewind pneumatic 56 and vice versa,rexactly as ii the note sheet perforation on mechanism A and. note sheet perforation. 92 on mechanism B had acted on ducts 84, of trackers A B, respectively. These hand controlling devices are conveniently mounted on the shelf135 which supports thenote sheet operating mechanisms A and B.

The trackers A B, as usual, are provided with a plurality of note ducts 1 10, 1621 re spectively, each duct being in communication with one of the primary valve boxes 18, and through the valve box with one or more of the pneumatics 11 which actuate the pallets of These devices the pipes or speaking devices of the instrument. Each of the valve boxes 18 contains a valve 18 adaptedto connect one of thepassages 17 a leading to the speaking PIIGU'HHLUCS '11 or with the atmosphere under the control The valves 18 "of the of the note sheet. valve boxes 18 are normally open to the at.

mosphere, and the suction between the passages 17, 17 a is broken. The speaking pneumatics 11 therefore ,will be then expanded, and the pallets 12 closed. \Vhenever a note perforation of the playing notesheet registers with one of the note ducts of the tracker, air pressure is admitted and passes to the corresponding valve box 18, and by. expandinga pouch 18 tl1616111,0l058$ the valve lS 'to communicate with a pouch or diaphragm box having pouches therein arranged in separate sets, one set for each tracker, and

means are provided to close the set of pouches for either tracker'during the rewinding of the note sheet over that tracker, so as to V prevent operation of the speaking pneuinatics by thatnote sheet.' The set 01' pouches for the other or playing tracker will remain open, so that as the note sheet passes over and opens the note ducts of the.

latter tracker air pressure may pass byway of. the pouches to actuate the valves 18 to con-- nectthe suction passages 17 17 and thereby cause the instrument to play.

Animproved diaphragm or pouch box is shown in thedrawings," together with 1111- proved air cleaning or straining means in con unction with the air passages'between the ducts 1 10 and 141 of the trackers and. the

pouch box. The present instrumentalso in;

eludes improved means for operating the cutoii diaphragins or pouches, said mean- 1. including a novel cutoff valve mechanism for each set of pouches, said cutoit valves being controlled by t-heactuating suction for the winding pneumatics 55 and 65 respectively. A description of the preferred construction of the. diaphragms, dust screens and cutoti' valves follows V The pouchordiaphragm hon, designated 145 preferably is removably secured on the front of a board 146 arranged beneathrthe shelf 135 so as to be readily accessible from the back of the instrument. The box 145' includes. an upper row of pouches 14:7 in communication by conduits or passages 142,

142 with the note ducts 140 of tracker A."

and a lower row of pouches 148 in communication by conduits or passages 14:3, 143 'with' the note ducts 1 11. of tracker B.] Each connected air passages 14-? 143" are preferably forine:

pouch is in the form of a recess in the box 1 15 extending to the inner face thereof. A l of the recesses of the pouches 1% are by a passage 150 with a suction conduit 151 Xtending in from the rear of the box 1 25, while the recesses of the other pouches 1&8 are s milarly connected by a passage to a suction conduit 153. A sheet 1-11 suitable iinperu us ired on the inner face of the ho 1&5, as a1 adhesive and exover and closes the several pouch recesses, to the n ovable walls or diaphraguis pouches l i-1 14a.

W ion the box 1 1-5 is in positini on the panel each of the pouches 14? reg' with the end of one of he passages which connect with the ducts 140, and w the end of a passage 155. See F Similarly the pouches 1&8 register w h. tie ends or passages which connect wih t l e ducts l ll and withthe ends of passages 156. See Fig. 9. if one of he sets of pouches is acted upon by suction, for instance the pouches MS and suction connection 153, the diaphragins thereoi will he col lapsed or drawn away from the ends of the passages 1 1-3 and 156, thereby establishing connniiuication between these passages, as shown in Fig. 9. The other set of pouches 147 zt this time will he under atmospheric pressure from its cutoff valve, as later erplained so that the diaphragm inenihers thereof will seal the ends of passages and 155 and prevent communication between the ducts 1 12 155. Each one of the note ducts 14-0 of tracker A is duplicated in tracker B, and corresponding note duct from both trackers are arranged to connnun cats with the same primary pneumatic 18 and through it to the speaking instrument. For this purpose ducts connects witl coi l 8 l ly t A b a: ling note peri'orutiors m ll one ate the same s 1 V 104 grererahly in a strip secured to the lower part of -h ilhereforc co i both note s).

reason of 'the operat; the cutoli diaphragm, as will be explai the speaking devices can not be operateu by either note sheet wh'le is being rewound. Each passage 15'? is connected by a tube 15 to the pouch 18 of one of the valves 18.

The passages 142 143, pouches 14?, 148 and connecting passages are arranged in sta gered relation for the sake of compactness The air strainers or dust collectors for the in the upper portion of the board 146, ant in a detacl able cover board 160 secured thereto. As shown in Figs. 9 and 13, the detachable cover 160 is provided with an upper and lower row of pockets 161,161 respectively, which are in staggered relation to each other and are, in effect, offset enl rgeinents of the passages i connect ports 162), 62 respectively of these pa 162 163 lea'ng respccti pockets 161, 161 are covered fine wire gauze or the seated in recesses 16% in this construction, practical readily accessable means :7 screening the air admitted It often happei'zs that small of paper frcinthc note e of dust pass into the tractor due-1r are intercepted by the screens and the large dust pockets 161 161 Hnhout 4 1 .n +11 oostiuciing the c c i. and use removable cover 1 the pocl ts 161, 1 c of accuininulat-ions sible for lucts t from obstructions.

anal l cut ff for the The valve pol tion ant spaced Va re d sls 1" W res 1 l 1 iii:

on cooperatii 173, the (licks It).

hat when the uppe he other disl: will t 172 coininuni atmosphere while the poi Clilllllj"? 1T1 connected by th suction passage 59 of inatic 55. The valv with a Cuct V c 173 with a conduit 1- 5% on the instrunen;

l pouches TH he, the is in its lower port 1T2 will 1T3 will pcned, COlli'lECtlLZ t pouches 1428 with the suction passa e 59 of conduits 1-73, 153 duct 116, ch i 174.; and. conduit 175. This suction dra cutoff diaphragins 1-18 a .n 'ier we the away from the )orts 141 156 and establishes communication between said ports. The valve G" is actuated closing of an air inlet" port 179 preferably arranged in the panel 5-1 of the case adjacent the rewind meumatic 56 for mechanism B.

A shr n or flap valve 180 is ada ted when the nd pneumatic 56 is collapsed for rewinding the note sheet of mechanism B, to spring or move a\ *y from and allow air to ente: the pol A conduit 181connects the port179 ith the pouch 178'by way of a duct 182 in the valve chest 168, so that the air entering theport 179will raise the diaphragm 177, and lift the valve G to clo the suction port 173 and open the air admission port 172, port 183 connecting the duct 182 with the suction chamber 17 1 equalizes the pressure on oppositesides of the diaphragm when its air inlet port- 179 is close G has been raised as explained, air will pass by way of a' port 172, duct 176, conduits 15S and to the pouches 148, and the pressure thereof will press the diaphragm against and seal the ports 111 and 156 as shown in 14, and prevent the passage of air from the tracker to the primary pneumatics 1 8. Therefore, the speaking pneumatics 11 'cannot be operated by the uncovering of the tracker ducts during the rewinding of the note sheet over this tracker.

The valve G is reversed to close port 172 and open port173 to permit suction to act on the cutoff diaphragms 1 18 in the following is soon as the note sheet over tracker B has been rewound, its winding perforation 85 will cause the collapse of the playing pneumatic 55, as before explained. The ac- (0111 iying movement of pneumatic 56 it to engage the llap valve 180 and move it to close the air port 179, thus shutting the air to the pouch 17 8 so that the diaphragm 177 will collapse and cause the valve G to lower and close the admission port 172, thereby permitting suction from the conduit 59 by way of the chamber-174 and port 173 to actuate the diaphragms 148, as previously explained. Therefore, when the note sheet moves in the playing direction over tracker B, the instrument will be played.

The other .cutoif valve G, see Figs. 2, 3 and at is constructed and operates in a similar manner, and is connected to the suction passage (38 of winding pneumatic for the note sheet of mechanism A and to an air inlet port 185 by a conduit 186. The valve box 167 of the valve G connects with the set of pouches 1417 by a conduit 187 connected to the suctionv conduit 151 before described. It should be see Fig. 1d. The usual bleeder' l q hen the valve I understood that the valves G G are opposed, so that one 13 open to the atmospheregvhile the other is open to suction and the air con- 188, 1:89 to permit easy access to their interiorsfor inspection or repairs.

It is desirable that the suct on be broken in the main suctlon bellows 1 1 when thefrlction pulley 18 is disconnected from the'drive mechanism by the actuation of the crank shaft 50, so to preclude possible operation of any of the suction actuated pneumatlcs or devices of the instrument.

hleans are provided for this purpose,

preferably arranged as shown in Figs. 1 and 23. The crank shaft 50 is provided at its inner end .with a fixed crank arm 190,which is connected by a link 191 to a level- 192 fulcrumed 011 a suitable fixed pivot 193511 the instrument case. As shown in Fig, 1, the main suctionbellows let is provided with an air admission port 19 1, normally closed by a spring pressed pallet 195 hinged at 196 to the bellows. The pallet 195 has a lateral arm 197, the'free end of which extends above and adjacent the outer end 198 of the lever 192. When the crank shaft 50 is rotated by thecrank 52 to disconnect the friction pulley 48 from the cone pulley 19, as before 7 explained, the arm 190 and link 191 will swing the lever 192 and, elevating its end 198, will movethe arm 197 of the pallet 195. Tlie pallet will therefore swing on its ivot 198 away from the air port194: allowing air to enter the pneumatic 14 and breakthe suction therein.

I claim as my invention:

1.111 a musical instrumentthecombinai tion of a plurality of note sheets for sepa-- ing endwise movement thereto for one note sheet to'its roll anduncouple the other loose gear for said note sheet from its roll and reversely operate the loose gears for another note-sheet.

2. In a musical instrument the combina tion of a plurality of note sheets for. separately, controlling the operation of said instrument, an operatingmechanism for each note sheet comprising a'winding and reloo winding roll for said note sheet, a loose gear for each of said rolls, and each of which is axially alined with and is journalled for endwise movement relatively to its roll, connected drive shafts for the operating mechanisms for said note sheets, intermeshing gears connecting the drive shaft and both loose gears of each mechanism, a clutch for each of said loose gears for coupling the same to and uncoupling it from its roll, and mechanism for simultaneously operating the several clutches of both of said mechanisms for reversing the travel of one sheet and starting'the playing travel of another note sheet.

3. In a musical instrument, the combina tion of a plurality of note sheets for controlling the operation of said instrument, a winding and rewinding mechanism for each of said note sheets, each mechanism being a separate unit comprising a removable frame,

winding and rewinding rolls, a shaft for each of said rolls rotatably mounted in said frame, a loose gear for each of said rolls journalled on said roll shafts, a driving shaft journalled in said frame, gearing connected to said driving shaft and meshing with both of said loose gears on each of said respective roll shafts, a clutch for each of said loose gears, for coupling it to and uncoupling it from each gear roll. said driving shafts of said mechanisms being coupled to each other to rotate together, and means for simultaneously operating the several clutches of both of said mechanisms for causing the playing travel of one note sheet and the rewinding of the other note sheet.

a. In a musical instrument, the combim tion of a plurality of note sheets for controlling the operation of the instrument, winding and rewinding mechanisms for said note sheets, including connected drive shafts for the several mechanisms, means for alternately connecting the winding and rewinding rolls of each mechanism with its drive shaft, and a variable speed mechanism ineluding a transmission shaft connected to and disposed in alinement with the drive shaft of one of said winding and rewinding mechanisms and comprising a cone wheel. a friction wheel engaging said cone wheel. means for adjusting said friction wheel lengthwise relatively to said cone wheel for varying the speedof said drive shafts, and means for moving said friction wheel into and out of engagement with said cone wheel for stopping and starting the drive shafts of said winding and rewinding mechanisms.

5. In a musical instrument, the combination of a pneumatic playing action, a note sheet controlling said playing action, driving mechanism for said note sheet, a suction bellows operatively connected with said pneumatic playing action, a starting and stopping device for said note sheet driving mechanism, and means actuated by the operation of said starting and stopping novice to break the suction in said suction bellows.

6. In a musical instrument, the combination of a pneumatic playing action, a note sheet controlling said playing action, driving mechanism for said note sheet, a suction bellows operatively connected with said pneumatic playing action, driving means for said note sheet driving mechanism including wheels which are relatively movable for starting and stopping the note sheet driving mechanism, a device for disenga said wheels to stop the note sheet driving mechanisms, and means operated by said d vice for breaking the suction in said suction beilows when the note sheet- Cil'l King mechanism is stopped.

7. In a musical instrument. the combination of a plurality of note sheets for controlling the operation of said instrument, a tracker for each note sheet, winding and rewinding mechanism for each note sheet, a playing and a rewinding pneumatic controlling the winding and rewinding mechanism for each note sheet, each note sheet having at the finish end thereof a rewinding perforation adapted to cooperate with the tracker and the rewinding pneumatic of that note sheet to cause the rewinding of said note sheet during the playing of the other note sheets, and a perforation at the starting end of each note sheet cooperating with the tracker and the playing pneumatic of that note sheet to stop th rewinding travel of said note sheet, and latch mechanism associated with the playing and rewinding pneumatics of the different note sheets for starting the playing travel of the rewound note sheet upon the completion of the playing travel of the other note sheet.

8. In a musical instrument, the combination of a plurality of note sheets for controlling the operation of said instrument, a tracker for each note sheet, winding and rewinding mechanism for each note sheet, pneumatic methunism coi'itrolllng the wind ing and rewinding mechanism for each note sheet, each note sheet having at its opposite ends perforations adapted to cooperate with its tracker and through ducts to said pneumatic controlling mechanism to respectively cause the rewinding of said note sheet and to stop the note sheet when it is rewound, and means cooperating with said pneumatic controlling mechanism for starting the playing travel of one note sheet simultaneously with the commencement of the rewinding of another note sheet.

9. In a musical instrument, the combination of a plurality of note sheets for controlling the operation of said instrument, a winding and rewinding mechanism for each note sheet, pneumatic mechanism operatively disposed between said note sheets and said Winding "and 'rewin'ding mechanisms and-operating automatically to cause the 'i exyindin'g of each note sheet when it com- .pletes its playing travel, a latch mechanism associated "with said pneumatic mechanism for ariesti'n'g each 'n'ot'eshe'et When it is re- Wound, and means controlled by each note sheet when it commences to rewind, for simultaneously releasing said latch mechanism'tosta'rt the playing travel of another note sheet.

10. In a musical instrument, the'combi-' nation of a plurality of note sheets foncontrolling the operation of said instrument, a Winding and ii'e'windi'n'g mechanism foreachnote sheet, including clutches for 'each winding and rewin'dirig mechanism for'coupling j the same to and uncouplingit from'a drive 'shaiQ-a pneumatic actuating'me'ch'anism for the clutches of each Winding and rewinding zflmechanism, means controlled by said note sheets for operating "saidipneumatic actu ating mechanisms 'to cause the rewinding of one note sheet when "finishes its playing ti avel and simultaneously starting theplay 7 'ing travel of the second note sheet, and

means controlled by each note :sheet for arresting the same when completely re- Wound.

l1. "Ina musicalinstiuinent, the combinanon of a note sheet which controls theop- .eration of the instrument, a winding and 're- Windin 'mechanism for "said "note sheet playing and 'rewin'ding neumatics :controlling respectively the playing itravelan'd rewinding of said notesheeiga val-ye for -each "of said playing and rewinding p'neumatics' for alternately subjecting said *pneumatic" to suction and atmos heric ressure an :ac- 7 tuating pneumaticifor each "valve, :and a passage controlled by each of said yalves and connecting with the iactuating pneumatic o'tthe other valve whereby When-one of said valves is actuated the other valve will be i'eversely actuated.

in a musical instrument, thecombinationot a pneumatic playing-action, a plurality of note sheets and trackers controlling said playingaction, Winding and ri'e'winding mechanism for said not-e sheets, pneumatic cut oil devices for cutting on each'itra'cker from the playing ac'tion'dui-ing therewinding of the note sheetfor-said tracker, pneumatic means for actuating sa id pneu'matic cut oitdevices, dust screens, and conduits copferatively connecting said tmck ers, .du'st screens, cut 0Edevices,and' playing-actiom' 7 said dustscreensfand cutoff devices'bemg cccntained in boxes having removable covers at the same side thereof which are removable to afiord access to said screens and cutfofi' devices.

CHRISTIAN FMAERYDEN. 

